Former world No. 3 Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina lost 6-1, 6-3 on Tuesday to compatriot Federico Delbonis in the Buenos Aires tournament, but did not mark the end of his career as previously suggested.
“Today I gave what I had, to the last point. “I’m happy because my last game was probably on the pitch and I did not give a press conference,” Delpo told the cheering crowd.
“We may never see each other again,” the 33-year-old Argentine also said with tears in his eyes to the 5,000 spectators.
“To be honest, this is a moment I never wanted to see happen. My health leads me to make a decision. I do not have as much power as many believe. I think I have realized all my dreams in tennis. “Today, I wish I could sleep without pain.”
However, it is not ruled out that due to trade commitments he will continue to play in the Rio de Janeiro tournament from Monday.
Del Potro, who had not played on the track for almost three years due to a knee injury, said on Saturday, however, that he was in the Argentine capital “goodbye more than a comeback” and that there was no “better tournament than his”. Buenos Aires to ‘retire.
The 1.98m Argentine, nicknamed the Tandil Tower, had his best time at the 2009 US Open, defeating Rafael Nadal in the semifinals and then Roger Federer in the final, in five sets, and became the first Argentine after Guillermo Villa. in 1977, to win a Grand Slam tournament. The only one of his career.
“Delpo” also helped give Argentina its first Davis Cup in 2016, winning a decisive point, that of a 2-2 draw on Sunday, against Croatian Marin Cilic. Then Federico Delbonis scored the third point, that of the historic victory.
The best Argentine player of the last twenty years also won two tough Olympic medals. Bronze in London 2012, defeating Novak Djokovic, then silver in Rio 2016, after beating Djokovic and Nadal, but relegated to the final against Andy Murray.
